Psychology of Religion - 1837 Words

I believe that religion and spirituality play a major role in the understanding of human behavior. Religion and spirituality have been apart of human experience throughout the course of history, tapping into almost every aspect of life from cultural beliefs to the arts. Religion and spirituality encompass a world that goes beyond our general understanding of how and why by attaching a higher overall purpose and meaning that extends outside of our lives here on earth. I do not believe that an adequate psychological understanding of most people cannot be accomplished in the absence of religion and or spirituality. Science for example gives adequate answers to occurrences in nature, which is bound by biological and physical laws. On the†¦show more content†¦We as humans do not like uncertainty and not knowing, and I think this is what makes religion appealing it not only offers us answers to difficult questions but it also gives peoples lives structure. Thus I see religion as attempting to offer certainty in an uncertain world. In the book one author describes spirituality as being a search for the sacred. I feel that this definition is very fitting. Spirituality like religion aims at finding answers to lifes unexplained questions and mysteries. Spirituality differs from religion in that it is more personal and subjective. Spirituality and spiritual experiences are interpreted by the individual and rely heavily on emotions and experiences, while on the other hand religion relies mostly on its beliefs. For me spirituality is more appealing than religion for a few reasons. First I do believe in some sort of higher power or God. Second there are so many different religions that all claim to offer an afterlife and answers to all ones difficult life questions. The problem I have with this is that although they all have the same general principle they all differ in their beliefs, Gods, and rituals. It seems that they cant all be right considering that almost all religions claim that they are the only right one. Spirituality I believe allows one to search for the sacred in a way, which it is more relevant on a personal level. It allows you to seek a higher power without being told, Here is what you need toShow MoreRelatedPsychology, Religion, And Religion1397 Words   |  6 PagesPsychology and religion are two fields of inquiry that are intimately related despite not initially seeming so. Humans have been engaging in religious thought for as long as we know, and possibly since we were first capable of thought. Likewise, psychology is a deceptively old field; although psychology as so named is a recent invention, philosophers have been asking the same questions the modern field does for centuries. Furthermore, both psychology and religion seek to address similar questionsRead MoreThe Psychology of Religion1187 Words   |  5 PagesIn terms of the psychology of religion, many thinkers have commented about the origins of religious belief . Some of these support these religious beliefs, some don’t. However it is first appropriate to establish whether or not they are actually making a valid comment on the subject of religion or not. Georg Hegel (1770–1831) was the initial scholar to step foot into this field. He redefined God by creating a character he often named ‘Spirit’. He attempted to make God sound theistic by giving GodRead MorePsychology and Religion1229 Words   |  5 Pagesthe practices involving psychology and religion in order to uphold the ethics code. There is a sensitivity level that must be exhibited by psychology professionals that practice traditional psychology in order to make clients feel comfortable and secure in the treatment setting. 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Opposing, to Freud’sRead MoreEssay on religion vs. psychology1766 Words   |  8 Pages nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Spirituality and psychology are two complex subjects to discuss and they become even more complicated when you try to relate one to the other. Psychology deals with the processes of sense perception, thinking, learning, cognition, emotions and motivations, and personality, focusing on the behavior of individuals. Spirituality, on the other hand, is all inclusive. â€Å"Spirituality is living ones life from the realization that the body/mind/ego personality we have beenRead MorePsychology Of Religion : The Mad, Holy And Demonic2878 Words   |  12 Pages VPR - 2209 Psychology of Religion: The Mad, Holy and Demonic Assessment 1: Essay (3,000 words) Question 4: What is the unconscious and what is its relevance in understanding religious belief or religious experience? Answer with reference to either Jung or Freud, or to both Jung and Freud. It is widely assumed that in the field of psychoanalytic theory there are only two major influential characters when discussing the effect and importance of religion on the unconscious, these characters beingRead MoreHamlet : Jungian Perspectives On Psychology And Religion1558 Words   |  7 Pagesunconscious contains thoughts, memories, and desires that are well below the surface of awareness but that nevertheless have a great influence on behavior. The influence of Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist Carl Gustav Jung’s work in analytical psychology has never been more prominent in texts than it is today. â€Å"Introversion and â€Å"extroversion† have become standard words. Most people are aware of the connection between the â€Å"individual psyche† and the â€Å"collective unconscious.† Many of us have secretly